Why Is Taylor's Death So Troubling To Us?

Sean was different. I remember early on I was not a huge fan of his. I unknowingly thought he was a selfish player, out for himself, did not care about anyone else. I constantly was finding myself hoping he would not be another Ray Lewis. But then you watch him play. He played so hard, he always gave 100%, never quite. I started to admire the guy, I found myself telling my kids that is how you play, square up and hit someone, you cant play with fear. Then this pas preseason I went to camp with my kids and I payed special attention to Taylor. I saw the focus in his eyes, I say the enthusiasm and the love he had for the game. I did not have to talk to him I did not have to shout at him, I just knew by looking at him. Seeing him in person and watching the MEAST play ball is simply amazing. It would be hard to lose any Redskin in these circumstances no matter who it is. But maybe it is the fact we watched this man grow before our very eyes. I feel bad that I ever judged the way I did, I am glad however to have seen the error in my ways and realize that Sean was more than just a Redskin.

It's troubling for a number of reasons, and I think particularly troubling given the circumstances.

He was the best player on the defense, if not the whole team, so obviously someone everyone paid a lot of attention to. I think, like Matty mentioned, he seemed to be getting his life straightened out and really getting on the right track. I think everyone loves to see someone pull themselves out of a mess and really make a better life.

The most poignant, painful aspect for me is that he's my age, he's got a daughter the same age as my daughter, and he died defending his family.

Not to speak poorly of anyone else, but there are famous figures who have died under less than stellar circumstances. Fights at strip clubs, overdose on cocaine, you name it.

Sean died while he was at home, with his family, trying to protect he people he loved. It doesn't get more tragic or heart rending than that.

You know for me...I don't know...but it's like Taylor was right in between true greatness. I mean Hall of Fame greatness. He was beyond the collegiate level, and so we knew for sure he could compete at the professional ranks at a very high level. Then on the other hand, he wasn't quite there yet. It was the "on his way" that kills me so much. As bright as his star was beginning to shine, you knew it was only going to get brighter. That's the tragedy. We never got see that brightness fulfilled, and its fuc*in killing me.

Needless to say he was a fan favorite. His style of play and his reckless abandon with his body made it very easy to get on his bandwagon. I've always loved the tough guys like Riggo and Taylor. Guys like that played the game the way it is supposed to be played. 110 mph, 110% effort, leave it all on the field.

+1

Well said!

i think understand somewhat where you're going with this. my brother and i had just agreed when were in tampa before the game that he was our favorite player...

there's just something about sean and actually seeing, albeit from simply a fans eyes, him grow. as i look at pictures you really get a feel for just how young he is, he even seems younger than 24.

i guess i cant really explain what im thinking very well

:(

I don't know why Sean Taylor's death has had such a profound effect on me. I am only a senior in high school, but all day long its been like I just wanna cry. Cry for Taylor, his family, the Redskins, and the NFL. Its been a really crappy day.

You pretty much summed it up for me. Over here we don't get much NFL news outside of nfl.com and Sky Sports. What really shocked me was popping onto the BBC new page to catch up on the days events at about 10:30AM and seeing the announcement there. He'd seemed to be improving when I went to bed last night (about 7PM your time) and then I read the news. I just sat there at my desk for about 10 minutes not knowing how to feel.

I haven't posted in here for a while, mainly because I've been busy and it's easier to go into alt.redskins and have a quick browse of the posts and get on again. But what really saddened me was dropping in there this evening and seeing inane drivel posted by morons purporting themselves to be football fans. I came back here for a bit of sanity and true reflection. In a curious kind of way I'm glad I'm not the only one feeling this way.

It's not just a loss to the Redskins, the NFL or the fans - it's a loss to a family, a loved one and a child that will never know her father as a dad, but more as a dead football player. :(

I don't think we'd mourn the same way if this had happened to say Asante Samuel or even Reed Doughty. It's not a bad thing, it's just the way it is. Sean Taylor was a Redskin (part of our favorite team). Not only that, but he was a uniquely gifted athlete who we are blessed to have seen play albeit for only a brief period of time. Speaking specifically about Taylor the player, guys like him come along once every decade or so in any sport.

But then at the same time, it just reaffirms the mortality of all of us, no matter how skilled you are at anything. And the suddenness (is that a word?) of it all. And it's scary.

I probably had more negative things to say about Sean Taylor over the past four years than 99% of the folks on this board and the reason this is such a tragedy for me is the way in which he died.

It wasn't from a disease or some terrible accident. It was a homicide. Some other person(s) killed him. And that makes it doubly hard to deal with.

There is the loss of a player on an NFL football team who was becoming an icon to the fans of that team.

And there are the questions about why all of this happened because it wasn't a freak accident or a terrible disease. Who did it? Why? Could the teragedy have been averted by mediation? by intervention? by whatever?

When you add all those questions - none of which are answerable at the moment - to the tragic loss, that is why this loss is so troubling.

:twocents:

Not sure if I could answer that question and its one I do not want to find out the answer. People will say its not about football but ST brought so much excitment to the game everytime he stepped onto the field that cannot be replaced. I know that I only know ST as a football player and now I'll never have the chance to see him play again and I will greatly miss that.
I think I am with you. I did not know him personally but only as a football player. I know of the things people say about him and can respect what others thought of him. But my opinion of him is mainly shaped by football and to me he wasn't just a good or great player but he always struck me as one of those guys who could transcend the game. A once in a lifetime type talent. So while the real tragedy here is that a father/son/brother was murderd...for us as fans our hero was killed. He wasn't our friend but he was someone we loved for football and all the plays he could have made all game changing athleticism that he could have exhibited we'll never get to see. And that just destroys me. Part of it is selfish but part of it is also that I know football was what he supposed to do. Not only was his life cut short but his purpose was cut short. And that is a damn shame. He had so much left to give to everyone. I am just so saddened by that.

I don't think we'd mourn the same way if this had happened to say Asante Samuel or even Reed Doughty. It's not a bad thing, it's just the way it is. Sean Taylor was a Redskin (part of our favorite team). Not only that, but he was a uniquely gifted athlete who we are blessed to have seen play albeit for only a brief period of time. Speaking specifically about Taylor the player, guys like him come along once every decade or so in any sport.

But then at the same time, it just reaffirms the mortality of all of us, no matter how skilled you are at anything. And the suddenness (is that a word?) of it all. And it's scary.


To be honest, that's one of things I'm sort of struggling with today. I wonder if I would mourn more or less, lose sleep over this, had it been another player. Say, somone not as note worthy?

Is that wrong, guys? Am I being shallow? Am I a bad person for thinking this of feeling this way?